WHAT: The Westman Multicultural Festival (formerly the Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Festival) is hosting two information sessions for individuals or groups who are interested in hosting a pavilion during the 2018 Westman Multicultural Festival. WHEN: Monday, October 16 AND Monday, October 23 7:00 p.m. *Those planning on attending only need to attend one session. WHERE: Westman Immigrant Services 1001 Pacific Avenue The Westman Multicultural Festival will be held February 1-3, 2018. The society recently reconvened to begin planning next year’s event, which will mark the 15th anniversary. Over the years, Westman residents have become accustomed to celebrating the broad cultural diversity within our community as they visit the various host pavilions at locations throughout the city. This signature event in Brandon has become a welcome winter respite as festival goers enjoy warm friendship, food, beverages, entertainment, art and customs from around the world. We look forward to sharing information with groups or individuals who may be interested in starting a new pavilion or reviving one that was part of the festival in the past.

The Brandon Police Service Monster Mash Committee is currently planning the annual event which takes place on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at the Keystone Centre UCT Pavilion Room. The event runs from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. for students of the Brandon School Division Grades 7 to 12. Students must provide their BSD Student ID. All students must check their coats and bags/backpacks. No alcohol or anyone smelling of alcohol will be allowed inside. There will be mandatory pat-down security checks upon entering the event. Once you leave the UCT Pavilion Room, you can't come back inside. The event provides students with a safe, fun and free place to gather who may otherwise be on the streets. Since inception, incidents of vandalism in Brandon have significantly been reduced.  Over 30 volunteers make the event possible and sponsorship from community businesses are the key to the success of the event! Food, music, games, and prizes are just a few things that create a fun and festive evening of enjoyment for all involved. However, it is only through the generous financial support of the Brandon Business Community and through volunteers that the event remains a success.

The Halloween Town and Haunted Forest presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon and Turtle Crossing Campground is just around the corner. In addition to the 12th annual Haunted Forest, events at Halloween Town this year will include: Children's Carnival & No-scare time for Haunted Forest Live Action Zombie Lazer Hunt Haunted Hayride & Ghost Stories Refreshments available on site Partnering with them this year are: Westman Dreams For Kids Spirit Sands Wagon Outfitters Salvation Army Dates and times this year are: October 13th - opening night - 6-10pm October 14, 2017 - 5-10 pm October 18 & 19 - 6-9pm October 20 - 6-10pm October 21 - 5-10pm October 25 & 26 - 6-9pm October 27 - 6-10pm October 28 - 5-10pm October 30 - 6-10pm. No - scare times this year are from 6-7 pm and 5-7pm on Saturdays. Costs: No-scare time & children's carnival - $8.00 Haunted Forest - $8.00 Haunted Hayride - $5.00 Zombie Lazer Hunt - $15.00 All tickets are available at the gate.

October 5, 2017 (Dauphin MB) -- Dauphin’s Countryfest, Canada’s longest running country music festival, is thrilled to announce a superstar line-up of artists coming together for the 29th annual festival, including: Thursday, June 28th  Bell MTS Stage: Dan Davidson The Road Hammers Friday, June 29th Bell MTS Stage: Chris Henderson Aaron Pritchett  Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: James Barker Band Dallas Smith Florida Georgia Line Saturday, June 30th  Bell MTS Stage: Aaron Goodvin Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: Luke Combs Eric Church Sunday July 1st Bell MTS Stage: Emerson Drive Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Main Stage: High Valley Paul Brandt “As Canada’s longest running country music festival, it’s our passion to put together a memorable musical line-up each year that features a great mix of artists,” says Eric Irwin, president of Dauphin’s Countryfest. “We couldn’t be happier with the way things are shaping up for 2018, and we’re looking forward to hosting some of the biggest acts in country music, along with some of Canada’s best homegrown artists,” says Countryfest producer Rob Waloschuk. The 29th Dauphin’s Countryfest takes place June 28th to July 1st with more acts to be announced soon!  TICKETS ON SALE: Last year’s Dauphin’s Countryfest SOLD OUT, so organizers are encouraging fans to get tickets early! Tickets to Dauphin’s Countryfest 2018 go on sale to the public on Monday, November 6th at 9:00am. Tickets can be purchased online at www.countryfest.ca, by calling 1-800-361-7300, or in-person at the Dauphin’s Countryfest office (28 2nd Avenue NE in Dauphin). Once again the E-Z Pay Option will be available, to split payments into five installments. ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Dan Davidson: Alberta’s newest up-and-coming country sensation, Dan Davidson exploded onto the Canadian country scene in 2016 with the release of his second single Found (co-written by Clayton Bellamy of The Road Hammers). Dan became the indie story of 2016 as Found rocketed up the charts, earning him the title of the #1 charting indie artist in Canada. The Road Hammers: The highest selling Canadian country band in history, The Road Hammers are back with a new record, The Squeeze, a compilation of tracks that epitomizes what the band has become known for – a truly synergistic blend of classic rock meets country. They’ve had over 1 million YouTube views to date, a 2015 JUNO nomination for Country Album of the Year, and a JUNO win in 2006. Chris Henderson: One of the busiest recording acts in Canadian country music today, Chris has won several awards and contests including the 620 CKRM Big Country Talent Search, and The Next Big Thing. He released his second studio album, My Turn, in 2014, which included Don't Miss Your Kiss Goodbye, the SCMA Song of the Year in 2014. James Barker Band: Ontario-crafted country outfit James Barker Band formed in 2013. They won a major county music contest and were awarded a release with Universal Music Canada. In 2016, their first single Lawn Chair Lazy became the highest charting debut single ever from a Canadian artist at Country Radio. Their third single Chills hit number one on the CMT Chevy Top 20 Countdown and also number one at Canadian country radio, making them the first band to have a number one at radio off a debut album. Dallas Smith: Platinum selling Country star Dallas Smith “has blazed a path across genres in Canadian music” (CBC Music) for nearly two decades, and fans continue to prove they’ll follow him wherever he wants to go. On the heels of his album Lifted, which earned critical acclaim, commercial success followed, which included a multi-week #1 single and an armful of JUNO and CCMA Award wins and nominations. Florida Georgia Line: With their innovative fusion of country, rock, hip-hop and pop, Florida Georgia Line has already proven themselves as a once-in-a-generation force of change in modern music. Since breaking out in 2012 with the mega smash Cruise, and now the release of their third album, Dig Your Roots, FGL is showcasing a whole new musical evolution, and solidifying their place as one of the elite acts in country music, earning honors from every major awards body. Aaron Goodvin: Though he first made a name on the scene as a songwriter, placing a track with Luke Bryan, it’s been as a solo artist that Aaron Goodvin from Spirit River, Alberta, has made the most noise this past year. His debut single Knock On Wood was a Top 40 hit at Country radio in Canada and opened the door for the Top 10 follow up smash hits Woman In Love and Lonely Drum.  Luke Combs: With gritty, grizzled vocals, brazen songwriting talent and one hell of a live show, Luke Combs stormed onto the country music landscape as a force to be reckoned with. Named a 2017 ‘Artist to Watch’ by Amazon Music, Billboard, Bobby Bones, CMT, Huffington Post, Nashville Lifestyles, Pandora and Rolling Stone, the 27 year-old Asheville, North Carolina native released his debut This One’s For You, the largest album debut from a new country artist in 2017. Eric Church: Country singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Church grew up in Granite Falls, North Carolina, and began singing as a child. At 13, he started writing songs, later teaching himself to play guitar. Church’s rock-influenced country style has earned him multiple awards and nominations. Non-stop energy and enthusiasm are what fans have come to expect from this country superstar’s live shows as he performs his collection of hits, such as Springsteen, Drink In My Hand, and Talladega.  Emerson Drive: Emerson Drive has been a part of the country music scene since they signed their first record deal with DreamWorks Records Nashville in 2001. The band's first two singles, I Should Be Sleeping and Fall Into Me, peaked in the Top 5 on the Billboard charts and quickly became fan favorites. But it was the career-changing song Moments that gave the band their first #1 single in the USA. High Valley: When it comes to illuminating simple truths and tapping into universal emotions, there’s nothing like a great song and country music has long been known for its rich legacy of powerful story songs. When a great collection of songs merges with a band of gifted communicators, the impact is considerable. It’s that one-two punch of powerful songs and potent performances that makes High Valley one of the most impressive new acts on today’s competitive country scene. Paul Brandt: Paul Brandt is the most awarded male Canadian country artist in history. His 1996 debut album Calm Before the Storm sold one million albums internationally, and his songs My Heart Has A History and I Do were the first to chart by a male Canadian Country artist since Hank Snow. His 11 career albums have spawned hit singles, multiple awards, and gold, platinum, and multi-platinum performances.  According to Neilson, of the top 25 Canadian Country songs, six were released by Paul Brandt. ABOUT DAUPHIN’S COUNTRYFEST: The 29th annual Dauphin’s Countryfest takes place June 28-July 1, 2018. Canada’s longest running country music festival has been attracting the biggest names in country music to one of the most beautiful regions of Manitoba since 1990. Situated on the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, the unique outdoor amphitheatre built into the side of an escarpment provides every patron a perfect view from any one of the 14,000 seats in the house.  Dauphin’s Countryfest is a not-for-profit organization that consists of a 12-member volunteer Board of Directors and a membership of more than 2000 loyal supporters. Organizers credit over 2000 volunteers who work tirelessly each year providing essential services for the festival weekend, while fundraising for their respective community organizations. In addition to various community contributions, Countryfest pays out approximately $150,000 each year to community organizations that provide services for the festival. Dauphin’s Countryfest took home the award for Festival or Event of the Year at the 2015 and 2016 Manitoba Country Music awards, and was a finalist at the prestigious Canadian Tourism Awards in 2013, nominated for Tourism Event of the Year. The festival was awarded the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Dauphin & District Community Foundation, given to individuals or businesses showing the true spirit of philanthropy and giving CONNECT WITH COUNTRYFEST ONLINE: www.countryfest.ca www.facebook.com/dauphinscountryfest www.twitter.com/country_fest www.instagram.com/dauphinscountryfest www.snapchat.com/dauphincfest  

Tuesday, November 21 7:30pm at the WMCA,  For ticket information, please click here. Abbamania is the world's number one production of Abba. The show consists of studio musicians that recreate Abba live in concert. They are the only Abba production to perform twice for the cast of Mama Mia. Also on the same show is Night Fever as the Bee Gees. With all the high harmonies and stage presence of the Bee Gees, they will be performing songs from "Jive Talking, To Love Somebody, Stayin' Alive, and You Should Be Dancing" plus many more. Abbamania and Night Fever perform over 200 concerts year and they will take you back in time when Abba and The Bee Gees ruled the pop music world. Two great shows on one stage. Special guests are Cher, Paul McCartney, and Adele performing the hits that everyone wants to hear.